Forget outsourcing, here comes crowdsourcing

Try applying the "grid computing" concept to outsourcing and you get crowdsourcing.

Some sites have started to appear on the Web, offering outsourced services which will be rendered by a community of experts spread out over the world. Services range from simple tasks like filling up databases to intricate website design.

Check out Amazon's Mechanical Turk, or XHTMlized for a better grasp.

I think it's great stuff!

PS: Oh! Reminds me that I actually used a pioneering crowdsourcing service a few years ago : www.logoworks.com. These guys produce quite sexy corporate logos for a low price, using a network of designers accross the US, competing on your creative brief to get the "bounty".